Texas Steps Up Insurance Fraud Fight with New Prosecuting Teams

Two of Texas most populated counties now have teams dedicated to fighting insurance fraud.

Harris County (Houston) and Bexar County (San Antonio) both have new insurance fraud prosecutors and investigators whose salaries are paid by the Texas Department of Insurance, according to the Texas Committee on Insurance Fraud.

TDI has had a similar working agreement for several years with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. The Dallas County prosecutor and an investigator have been responsible for 250 convictions of insurance fraud that have resulted in restitution to victims totaling $7 million.

The Texas Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman is hoping for the same success in Harris and Bexar Counties.

“We hope to send a message that we are going to prosecute these cases and seek the highest penalties possible, in restitution, fines and imprisonment,” Kitzman said in announcing the Harris County team. “There will be no confidential settlements. This will be publicized. This is really not effective unless people know about it. That’s our goal.”

Mark Hanna, a spokesman for the Texas Committee on Insurance Fraud, said more district attorneys across the state have asked TDI for these specialized prosecutors.